A vivid historical account brings into focus the climactic moment on May 23, 1844, when a twenty-five-year-old Shiráz merchant, Siyyid ʻAlí-Muhammad—the Báb—proclaimed Himself “the Promised One” foretold across centuries. Amid widespread millennial anticipation in both Christian and Muslim worlds, His declaration announced not only a fresh Revelation but also heralded a greater Messenger destined to usher in universal peace.

Set against a backdrop of moral decay and rigid orthodoxy in Qajar Persia, the narrative explores how the Báb’s bold claim ignited hope and excitement among followers of all social strata, including influential clergy. Tens of thousands rallied to His cause even as a fearful government unleashed brutal repression to extinguish this nascent movement, transforming the streets of Shiráz into arenas of spiritual fervour and political upheaval.

By retracing these events, the work illuminates the Báb’s revolutionary vision and its seismic repercussions. It offers a richly textured understanding of how one declaration reshaped collective consciousness, planted seeds of reform and paved the way for an age of unity and renewal.